The dental work done by these professionals during World War II often lasted years after the war before the soldiers' dental work needed additional support. Poor dental health has now been found to be linked to cardiovascular disease, respitory health, diabetic complications, bone health, and more. This just augments the importance of the dental field and work done by dental professionals during World War II and in our history in general. Dental officers in World War II were not just assiting soldiers so they could function without pain in the moment of war, but possibly even preventing future health complications later in life for their patients. Dentistry During World War II - an Unappreciated History · Sarty Web Essays · Concordia Memory Project.
Unappreciated is appropriate, I confess to never having given this a moment’s thought let alone its contribution to dental techniques such as the external fixation screw. We all know how war has led to major advancements in, for example, surgical procedures and reconstructive surgery, but I’d never considered for one second dentistry in any of that. Very interesting Clive, cheers for sharing.
FRONT LINE DENTISTRY (PART 1) [Allocated Title] IWM A70 77-13 DESCRIPTION Object description RAMC dentists treat patients in 50th (Northumbrian) Division's sector of the Normandy beach-head. Full description Two British soldiers arrive at the mayor's house in the village of Juaye-Mondaye where 48th Field Dressing Station RAMC's dental section is temporarily quartered; the cameraman examines the signboard announcing its presence there. Soldiers requiring dental treatment sit outside waiting for their turn to go in; a corporal orderly calls out the name of the next patient. One of the three dentists in the section is seen examining a patient's teeth. Physical description 35mm
In addition to their 'routine' dentistry, Dentists would often be required for reconstruction work on soldiers wounded in the jaw. Perhaps the greatest praise should go to those Dentists (along with Doctors) working in the Japanese POW Camps. Problems caused by the poor (non-existent) diet far exceeded the normal. Working in atrocious conditions with no facilities, instruments, anaesthetics or drugs except those they constructed or obtained themselves. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-2141-2 Tim
Along with inoculations, dental health was taken very seriously prior to embarkation for overseas service. The attached, from Regimental Orders, is just one example of servicemen parading and being marched to the dental centre. Also: ITALY : EIGHTH ARMY FRONT LINE DENTIST | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)
A subject worthy of its own thread. One of the first things I noticed on Peter Jackson’s ‘They shall not grow old’ was the dental standard of many of the subjects. The Domestic Chief of Staff’s aunt and uncle were both dentists during WW2 and I will see if any photos exist and post accordingly. In addition to dentistry etc, another of the roles/functions undertaken by Service dentists in the field was that of anaesthetists. Remember receiving attention in Feb 91 in a Dressing Station in conditions not too dissimilar from the first photo in CL1’s Sarty Web essay. In the background, most of the medics were watching a video of one of the day before’s Home Nations’ matches!
An older coworker told me the army dentist working on him in the Pacific used a drill powered by a foot pedal. It didn't sound like a fond memory.
My uncle, Alastair Robertson, served in the Army Dental Corps throughout the war. With a particular interest in prosthetics he found himself, in 1944, in command of one of the Field Dental Laboratories that accompanied the army on the invasion of Europe. My aunt, now in her nineties, sent me this copy of his notes prepared for a talk he gave at the Eastman Dental Clinic in Brussels. I felt that what he had to say, and how he came to be there, would be of some interest, particularly to those few left who served at that time in what is now the Royal Army Dental Corps. My uncle was a charming and charismatic man, much loved by all and certainly by me, indeed it was his example that led me into dentistry. To be in charge of a Field Dental Laboratory must have been just his scene, he would certainly have enjoyed the challenge and how well he did was recognised by a Mention in Despatches. Shortly after D Day he landed in Normandy with his unit and for four months they followed the advance until they reached Brussels where, on the relief of the city, he took over the Eastman Dental Clinic which had been vacated so recently by the Germans. These notes were made for a talk and not for publication but I have left them much as they were, as they do so bring to life his experiences at that time. They were written in English but it is apparent that at least some of his talk was delivered in French so perhaps he did have a French translation prepared. Perhaps first I should provide some background on the need for these Mobile Field Laboratories and their equipment, but I do this with some temerity as I am much aware that there will be some around who served in France, even with my uncle, and who could paint a far better picture. https://www.nature.com/articles/bdj.2007.44
From the American side The Officer’s Dental Kit was also affected by modifications throughout WW2. New items were introduced in 1942, such as the Hypodermic Syringe, Cartridge Type, together with 20 extra Cartridges (replacing the older Laryngeal & Dental Tonsil Syringe with its 23-Gage Platino-Iridium Needles, and three Tubes with 20 Tablets each of Procaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine), while the Tooth-Extracting Forceps No. 150 and 151 were replaced by improved versions, No. 150A and 151A. In March of the same year more items dating from 1940, i.e. the single Red Rubber Sheet and the No. 100 Straight Drill Handpiece, were both cancelled. Throughout 1943 additional modifications and replacements took place; the old Canvas Case No. 2 containing three Straight Bur Handpieces was deleted, followed by the Nerve Broach Holder, the Exact Lancet No. 1, the No. 01-5 Towner Pyorrhea Scaler, the two Hand Towels, the two No. 2 Pulp Canal Cleaners, and the Bit Engine Holder, all disappeared and were not replaced! Some of the items were more or less compensated by introduction of a Complete Medical Officers’ Instrument Case, and the addition of two Spools of Adhesive Surgical Plaster, and single Cards of Medium and Large Safety Pins; meanwhile the 12 Iodine Swabs had been reduced to 6. One of the last modifications to be implemented, was the replacement of White material by Field Brown-colored items… Kits of Dental Personnel | WW2 US Medical Research Centre
When my dad joined up, he had a couple of chipped teeth caused by throwing stones as a lad...All army dentists were officers so there was no suggestion of a recommendation. There were orders. "Those are coming out". He's had false teeth since he was 19. The modern private plates are a little more comfortable apparently.
